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Landlords advised to make health and safety a priority

Health and safety should be one of the priorities for landlords at all times, as failure to stick to the rules that govern them can result in significant punishment.

LetRisks has explained that all property owners who rent their homes out must make regular visits to check for any damage or breakages that require immediate repair, with this likely to reduce the risk of potentially deadly hazards being left untouched.

More than a third of families who are renting a home have a problem with damp, while almost one in five said that they have a leaky roof or windows.

The findings were made in the organisation's latest study, which also discovered that one in ten tenants could be in danger from gas safety issues, while one in 11 are living with some form of electrical hazard.

Michael Portman, managing director at LetRisks, said: "Many tenants are at risk from poor health and safety in their rented accommodation, and agents and landlords have a legal duty of care and as such, should be making regular visits to their properties - ideally every three months - to check for health and safety problems and repairs."

He went on to explain that landlords or their letting agents should also make sure that they are in a position to respond quickly should a tenant notify them of a fault in their home.

If this is the case, problems will be rectified quickly and the chance of them causing long-term damage is minimised.

Another consideration should be the insurance policy that is in place, as this will need to cover all manner of issues.

The firm went on to name some of the most common dangers that are present inside rental homes in the UK, with these including faulty boilers, damp and mould, broken windows and exposed wiring.

Smaller issues such as damaged brickwork, locked windows and large wardrobes and cupboards that are not fixed to the wall should also be acted upon.

In Lawpack's expert guide Residential Lettings, lawyer Tessa Shepperson outlines all the health and safety regulations you need to be aware of and all your obligations as a landlord.